Caleb Williams did not take the field during Week 1 of the NFL preseason, as the Chicago Bears hosted the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field in a 24-24 tie on Sunday. The decision to bench the 2024 first overall pick sparked significant debate, especially given the Bears’ ongoing quarterback struggles and the brewing controversy surrounding the move.
Sports analyst Colin Cowherd openly criticized Bears head coach Ben Johnson for leaving Williams sidelined while many other top quarterbacks saw playing time in their preseason openers. On his Monday broadcast of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Cowherd questioned the strategic reasoning behind this choice amid intense scrutiny of Chicago’s quarterback situation.
Colin Cowherd Questions the Rationale Behind Williams’ Absence in Week 1
Cowherd pointed out that several prominent quarterbacks, including Bryce Young, Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, and Spencer Rattler, all appeared in their teams’ Week 1 games. Even Tom Brady took the field, he noted, highlighting the unusual nature of excluding Williams in such a high-profile preseason matchup.
“Bryce Young played, Joe Burrow played, Mahomes played, Spencer Rattler played, everybody but Tom Brady played this weekend,” Cowherd said. “And he did not, Caleb didn’t. And I’m a fan. But there is a certain weight to this quarterback situation.” —Colin Cowherd, Sports Analyst
Cowherd went further to critique the Bears organization and general manager, implying that the team’s quarterback acquisition was not their initial plan and reflects broader franchise issues. He referenced his own reporting alongside Seth Wickersham, emphasizing the strong media pressure and team mismanagement tied to Chicago’s current state.
“I said it when he got drafted by Chicago. And it has now been reported by me and Seth Wickersham. This was not their first choice. This is a big, loud, aggressive media. It is a poorly owned franchise with a GM who got an extension based basically on one big trade that got him DJ Moore in draft picks.” —Colin Cowherd, Sports Analyst
Williams struggled during his rookie season despite high expectations, throwing for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns. Cowherd emphasized that Williams needed preseason opportunities to prepare effectively for what could be a defining 2025 season.
Possible Motivation Behind the Bears’ Decision to Shelter Caleb Williams
Colin Cowherd suggested that Ben Johnson’s decision to sit Williams might be an effort to shield the rookie quarterback from external criticism and media pressure. By keeping him off the field during a prominent televised game, the Bears may be attempting to protect him from further scrutiny as he works through his struggles.
“I look at it and I think to myself, was Ben Johnson actually, could I suggest this, sort of protecting Caleb from the court of public opinion?,” Cowherd said. “It was kind of a stand-alone big TV game. ‘Let Miami and Tua get all the speculation and the heat.’” —Colin Cowherd, Sports Analyst
“‘We’re going to just let him sit and watch this thing.’ It’s not like he couldn’t use the snaps. When tech companies delay the release, okay, it’s usually because, like, you’re still in the beta stage, right? You’re just not quite comfortable putting it out to the public.” —Colin Cowherd, Sports Analyst
For quarterbacks like Williams who underachieved in their rookie year, the upcoming season often carries heightened expectations and pressure to prove their worth. The Bears’ handling of Williams’ playing time will be closely scrutinized as the 2025 season approaches, with significant implications for his future in the league and the team’s overall direction.